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Emilio's Cheese
Established · 12 signalscheesemaker Canterbury

Emilio's Cheese

Emilio | cheeseandfood@hotmail.com

Emilio Festa's journey to becoming a celebrated New Zealand cheesemaker began in the Brescia district of Lombardy, Northern Italy. Immigrated 2005 · 2010 Best Hobbyist Cheesemaker, Bronze for Formaggella, Silver for Mozzarella · 2014 Gold Medal Stracchino Italian from Brescia district · Agricultural Science degree + 1 year cheese making course · Worked in factory making mozzarella, provolone, taleggio, mascarpone · Farm factory between West Melton and Darfield · Uses local cow, goat and sheep milk

“Cheese Lovers NZ is with Emilio's cheese.” · “Anabelle Fine Fresh Cheeses Auckland www.anabelle ...” · “Emilio's cheese · Emilio's cheese · Our cheeses · COW CHEESE · SHEEP CHEESE · GOAT CHEESE - Get in touch to know if your favourite goat cheese is …”

Story RichArtisan QualityCraft ObsessionOperator PassionAuthentic SourcingOriginal SourcePersonal ConnectionTradition PreservedMoment of CareCommunity tractionMulti-GenerationalUnusual Location

Their Story

Emilio Festa's journey to becoming a celebrated New Zealand cheesemaker began in the Brescia district of Lombardy, Northern Italy. After studying Agricultural Science and gaining experience in Italian cheese factories producing varieties like mozzarella, provolone, taleggio, and mascarpone, Emilio…

What They Make

Cow Cheeses

  • Alpino (4-month-old, Swiss-style)
  • Alpeggio (Taleggio-style)
  • Bosco (young brie-style, 140-180g)
  • Formaggella (2-3 month old, young cheddar-style, available in plain, garlic, horopito, fennel, chilli, cumin, black pepper)
  • Formaggella Hazelnuts, Dukkah and Sesame seeds (2-3 month old)
  • Formaggella Smoked (3-4 month old, light smoky flavour)
  • Grotta Blue (Italian-style blue cheese, creamy, mild to strong flavour)
  • Malga (3-month-old, melts well)
  • Provolone (slightly salty, ideal for shaving or grilling)
  • Stagionato (18-month-old, aged cheddar-style)
  • Ricotta (fresh, no added salt)
  • Baked Ricotta (with herbs and salt)
  • Mozzarella Fior di latte (fresh, approx. 50g balls)
  • Crescenza (super soft, very sweet, 4 days old)
  • Stracchino (mild, similar to mozzarella)

Sheep Cheeses

  • Blue sheep (delicate, very creamy blue cheese)
  • Creamy sheep (very soft, mild, 2 months old)
  • Farmhouse (firm-textured, mild, 3 months old)
  • Pecorino (approx. 10 months old, slightly salty)
  • Peppecorino (Pecorino aged 20 months with black pepper)

Goat Cheeses

  • Available seasonally, inquire for availability.

Other Products By Adriana

  • Small and big cannoncini (Italian finger foods)
  • Mini tarts (Italian finger foods)
  • Gluten-free almond or coconut cakes (made in facility with gluten)

Awards & Recognition

  • Best Hobbyist Cheesemaker — Winner(2010)
  • Formaggella — Bronze(2010)
  • Mozzarella — Silver(2010)
  • Stracchino — Gold Medal(2014)

More from Emilio's Cheese

Adriana's Pastry

How to Get Their Products

Farmers' Markets

Mount Pleasant Farmers' Market

Canterbury·Saturday 9am-12pm

Christchurch Farmers' Market

Canterbury·Sat 9-12

Lincoln Farmers & Craft Market

Canterbury·Saturday

Direct Sales

423 Bealey Rd, Charing Cross, Christchurch, Canterbury, 7671, New Zealand

Online

Online pre-order for collection at various Canterbury farmers' markets (Christchurch, Ohoka, Lyttelton, Lincoln, Opawa, Oxford).

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